Congratulations on making a great decision!  Your friends and family will enjoy every moment of gatherings in your backyard oasis.  Once you have signed your pool contract the following steps will occur.  Please keep in mind that we share the swimming pool building process, so you have an idea of how the whole process works and allow us to complete your pool in a timely manner.

 

Project Design and Approval

The first thing you will do is have a meeting with someone from our team to design your pool and backyard.  In this meeting you will discuss and ask all the questions that come to mind.  We will need a current property survey to use to determine property setbacks, easements, etc.  The property survey is also needed to submit with the plans processing city review.  

Permitting and Engineering

The next step is to submit your design idea to the pool engineer to draw out the plans.  Once they complete the plans, you will review that everything is correct before submitting to the city.  There will be some necessary permit applications and forms for your particular municipality that need to be completed and submitted with the swimming pool plans. Building, Plumbing and Electrical permits will be acquired for the construction of your swimming pool. If your design/equipment requires gas hook-up, you will be acquired to acquire another sub permit by a licensed company that can complete the work required.  We will also call Sunshine 811 to mark your property before we dig to locate all existing utility lines.

Excavation

This is when the fun begins! When your plans are fully approved by the city, then excavation of your pool may start. Excavation is a messy, dirty process, but it's unavoidable. Our excavation crew will dig your pool in accordance with the approved pool plan design. This process usually takes one to two days, depending on access and weather. A lot of dirt will be dug up during this phase, but don’t worry, we will haul most of it during the excavation. If you notice any dirt remaining, it is kept on purpose and will be used for other phases of construction.

Rebar/Steel Form

The pool form is then reinforced with steel rebar, which is placed horizontally and vertically forming a rigid contoured grid that creates the backbone of your swimming pool. Tie wires are placed at some of the intersections, tying the steel together. Block spacers are also placed under the steel to help hold the steel above the soil, keeping it in place for its final home in the middle of the shotcrete/gunite.  All of this work is performed by hand! Once your pool is completely formed, an inspection is required and will be requested.

Plumbing

Rough plumbing, is done before the steel installation. This includes the installation of the plumbing lines for the main drains and skimmers and return lines. All other lines needed for waterfalls, raised spas, cleaning systems and any other enhancements will also be installed at this time. We design the plumbing specifically for each pool to ensure it has the best circulation and filtration leaving you with crystal clear water and low maintenance. Hydraulic calculations are performed to make sure that all the equipment and piping are the correct size for water clarity and energy conservation.

Shotcrete/Gunite

Shotcrete/Gunite is a mixture of sand, rock and cement. It is applied with a highly pressurized air hose and is shot around your pool’s steel reinforcement grid, forming your pool shell. This process creates a pool floor with a compressive strength of 3,000-3,500 psi! It is this step of the process when you really start to see your pool come to life and that hole in your backyard starts to look like a swimming pool. When concrete is complete, it will need about 30 days to cure. You may notice water accumulating at the bottom of the pool. This is totally fine, and the water will be pumped out before the pool’s interior is completed.

Equipment Set, Electric & Gas

It’s now time for plumbing to come back into the picture and plumb in all the filtration equipment, including any water feature pumps or other optional equipment you may have chosen. Electrical conduits for your pool equipment power and pool lights will be run and the breaker box for the pool equipment will be installed, ready for the equipment to be set. Any gas lines to a pool heater or heaters will also be run to the equipment location. Your field superintendent will provide direction on how, where and when the gas lines should be installed.

Tile & Coping

The next step of the construction process is the tile. The tile installed will be the one you have selected from hundreds of tiles you have to choose from (we have something for every taste!). The coping around the pool edge is also installed as well as any water features you have chosen, such as deck jets, waterfalls, sheer falls, wall sprays etc. Coping is the term used to identify the stone or concrete material used to cap the pool shell wall. The tile and coping installation process will take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks and is dependent upon the size and intricacy of job. Once the tile has completely set, you will have a non-porous, extremely durable surface that will last years.

Pool Deck

If you are installing a pool deck, make sure it flows with the rest of your backyard.  Now is the time to expand deck area and make everything come together.  You may choose from pavers, concrete, artificial turf or natural grass.  Pavers are those most common and low maintenance. 

Site Clean Up

Your project is nearing completion! At this point we will remove all waste and unneeded construction materials from the site. We will also prepare the pool interior to be plastered.

Pool Baby Fence or Pool Alarms

After the pool screen is complete, the pool’s safety fence and alarm systems will be put in place. It is required by Florida law that all new pool construction meet at least one of the following requirements relating to pool safety features: (a) the pool must be isolated from access to a home by an enclosure that meets the pool barrier requirements; (b) the pool must be equipped with an approved safety pool cover; (c) all doors and windows providing direct access from the home to the pool must be equipped with an exit alarm that has a minimum sound pressure rating of 85 dB A at 10 feet; or (d) all doors providing direct access from the home to the pool must be equipped with a self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism placed no lower than 54 inches above the floor.

Pool Plaster/Interior

After the baby fence /pool barrier inspection is completed, the final stage of construction can be done.   Whichever pool finish you have selected will be scheduled and is completed in one day.  As soon as it being applied, the pool is then filled with water.

Start Up and Orientation

The last step of building your new pool is setting up a time for one of our service technicians to come to your home. The tech will check the installation and start all of the pool and/or spa equipment, ensuring that your new pool is fully operational. They will also go over all maintenance operations with you including everything you need to know about routine maintenance, troubleshooting tips and answer any other questions you have. If you find you have additional questions or need technical support after this appointment, remember we are only a phone call away!